Sifting-box for caustic lye



(No Model.)

P. o. ToMsoN.

SIPTING BOX FOR GAUSTIG LYE.

IZQMZ Patented Nov. 4', 1884.

` il; Y i/d// WITNESSES: t H/ ATTORNEY.

N. PETERS. Plwla-Lnhagmphen wnnmgw", D. C.

IITTEn STaTEs PATENT EEECE,

PETER COOLEXT TOMSCN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIFTING-BOX FOR CAUSTHC LYE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 307,506, dated November 4, 1884-.

(No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, PETER COOLEY Tensen, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Sifting Caustic-Lye Box, of which the following is a speeiiication, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In this invention I have two purposes in view, one of which is to provide a neat and convenient mode of keeping caustic lyc from the neutralizing effect of the atmosphere after the box containing it shall have been opened, and the still more important purpose of preventing the spilling of the lye,to the manifest peril pf sight and even life. It is well known that by the use of the ordinary box with a mere loose cover eyes have been injured,if not destroyed, while in some instances young children have swallowed the substance, and thereby lost their lives. By my invention the caustic llye is -excluded from the air, which, as experience has demonstrated, destroys the strength of the article and makes it useless for its intended purpose, and when not in actual use it is hermetically sealed.

To carry my invention into effect I make a box of sheet -iron or other suitable cheap metal of the shape of boxes commonly employed for the purpose of containing such material in commerce, and the box being filled with the material, a perforated cover is permanently soldered or otherwise secured thereto. Over the perforations of the cover is pasted a label with marks thereon to indicate the exact situation of the holes beneath, so that when the lyc is required -to be used the label (which is of `paper or other soft material) can be punctured and the lye be allowed to sift out. Having filled the box and sealed the pertbrations by means of the label, a circular close-fitting card or disk is laid on the top of the b'ox, and over that is placed a metal cover fitting' downclosely over the edges, so that the air is effectually excluded from the holes after they shall have been punctured in the permanent top ot' the box. rIhis is acheap and eiiicient means of preserving the strength of the lye, and also of preventing disagreeable, if not dangerous, results from the spilling out of the powerful caustic. I attain these desirable objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a representation of the box with removable cover on when not in use. Eig. 2 shows the cover removed. Fig. 3 shows `the box with the card or disk removed, so as to show the label that covers the perforation in the metal over which it is pasted; and Fig. 4 is a view ofthe circular card to be placed between the outside and the inside covers.

A is the box. B is the label for covering the perforations. C is the removable circular card or disk; E, the permanent perforated top, and D is the outside removable cover.

I am aware that sifting devices on the principle of the ordinary peppenbox or caster have been made before my invention; but I believe myself to be the iirst one whohas ever by such cheap and comparatively cheap combination overcome objectionsto the use of the powerful agent caustic lye for domestic use.

I am aware that spice-cans have been used with a perforated removable cover and a paper stop placed within the cover; but to obtain a discharge of the contents it is necessary to remove the cover and take out said paper stop. This will do in the case of spices; but in the case of caustic lye it is very undesirable, inasmuch as the lye is very corrosive and discolors and cats the skin of the fingers if handled. It is very desirable to be able to discharge such contents without having to open the can.. This I accomplish by my invention, it being only necessary to rupture the paper over the holes to have the contents entirelyat convenience.

I acknowledge that a patent was granted to Edwin Norton, No. 92, 58S,issued July 131, 1869,

for a spice-can which is differently constructed from mine, hereinbefore described, both as regards the movable cap and the false top of said patent of N orton5 and I am aware that a patent was granted to W'. I). Tonny, No. 142,963,

dated September 16, 1873, for an improvement in disinfectant packages, but which is essen tially different from mine in construction.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

IOO

A can for the packing and using of caustic lye, consisting of a body, A, ofsuitable form, a detachable top or cover, D, a removable circular disk, C, used as a lining or packing between D and B, a permanent perforated top or cover, E, having a number of small holes covered by the paper cover and attached to the body A, as`shown in Fig. 8, after the lye is introduced, aad a paper cover orlabel, B, for said top E, pasted thereon and outside thereof, whereby the contents may be securely retained during transportation and sale, and afterward, when required for use, be readily delivered through holes designed to be punctured in the said paper cover over the location of the holes r 5 in the permanent top Evwithout the removal of the said paper cover, the Whole being substantially as described.

PETER COOLEY TOMSON. Vitnesses:

HERR PENNINGTON, R. W. RU'rHERroRD. 

